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David Nikolic enters his fifth season as the UWM women's soccer associate head coach after having spent the previous nine seasons as an assistant coach with the Panther women. In his 14 seasons at Milwaukee, he has helped the program reached the success it continues to this day. "David and I have worked together a long time and that helps us to know each other's strengths and weaknesses," Michael Moynihan said. "We compliment each other very well and that has been a big reason for our program's success. He is a true student of the game and is able to bring tactical insight, as well as technical ability." Nikolic has been an integral part of the women's soccer program and has helped guide Milwaukee to five NCAA Tournament berths, eight regular season league championships and four league tournament titles. In 2005, the Panthers won both the Horizon League's regular season and tournament crowns to move on to the NCAA Tournament. Once there, they outlasted Purdue in penalty kicks to advance to the second round for the first time in school history. "I have enjoyed being a part of the growth of Women's Soccer at UWM the past 14 seasons," Nikolic said. "I take a lot of pride in the fact that we attract players in the region who look at Milwaukee as a place where they can come and become better students of the game, consistantly play nationally ranked opponents and have a good opportunity for post season play." Nikolic assists Moynihan in a variety of areas, including recruiting, on-the-field coaching and the development of training sessions. He is also responsible for coordinating team travel, the upkeep of Engelmann Field and fundraising and marketing efforts. Last summer, lights were installed at Engelmann Field, enhancing its reputation as one of the premier soccer facilities in the region. Nikolic played an intrical role in helping to secure funds for the project through various donors. He also participated in the planning stages of the project. In addition to his collegiate coaching career at UWM, Nikolic has coached extensively at both the club and high school levels for the past 14 years. He coached at Wauwatosa East High School before moving to Milwaukee Pius XI, where he led the Lady Popes to an undefeated season, a state championship and a No. 16 national ranking. As a staff coach with the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club, Nikolic led three teams to third-place finishes at the Region II Midwest Championships. In his time with the club, he has coached seven state championship teams. Nikolic has also been director of the club's summer camps and currently coaches at summer camps regionally and nationally. Nikolic also served as the coach of the Milwaukee Kickers Majors men's team, which won the Wisconsin Open Cup in 2004, the regular season title in 2005 and the 2006 Wisconsin Amateur Championship. Nikolic has also coached F.C. Milwaukee's adult program. In 2002, his U-23 men's team won the regional championship and finished third nationally. He is a USSF `B' licensed coach and is a Region II Olympic Development Program staff coach. He has coached with the Wisconsin girls ODP program for 12 years. His teams have been Region II ODP finalists in 1999, 2001 and 2003. He is currently the first assistant for the Region II Girls 1992 ODP team that toured German in March, 2008. Nikolic had a successful 2005-06 campaign with the Kickers. His men's team won the 2006 Wisconsin State Outdoor Championship, Indoor Championship,Wisconsin Amateur Cup and also the Region II Over 30 Regional Event. The Over 30's has finished as runners-up in the National Championship. In 1992, he earned his bachelor's degree from UWM in mass communication and history. |
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